'Excellent Adventure' show ends at Universal Studios amid criticism

"Bill and Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure" stage show at Universal Studios Hollywood has been canceled amid criticism it is insensitive to gays.

"Bill and Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure" stage show at Universal Studios Hollywood has been canceled amid criticism it is insensitive to gays. (Universal Studios Hollywood)

Hugo Martin

A stage show at Universal Studios Hollywood's Halloween Horror Nights has been canceled amid criticism that it is insensitive to gays.

A scene in "Bill and Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure" depicts Superman getting sprinkled with "fairy dust" and turning into an over-the-top effeminate character.

In a statement posted Wednesday on its website, Universal Studios Hollywood said: "After thoughtful consideration, Universal Studios Hollywood has made the decision to discontinue production of the Halloween Horror Nights' 'Bill & Ted' show for the remainder of its limited run."

Rich Ferraro, vice president of GLAAD, formerly known as the Gay Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, said in a statement: "This type of content should be removed. Many have voiced strong concerns regarding the decision to include such outdated stereotypes and this outcry should inform future programming as well."

In the show, Superman appears on stage to help Bill and Ted out of a bind and is sprinkled with fairy dust by a witch. The Man of Steel then takes on an over-the-top, gay persona, before getting beaten up by his nemesis General Zod.

The theme park, which runs Halloween Horror Nights from Sept. 20 to Nov. 2., has for about seven years been producing the satirical show based on the 1989 comedy starring Keanu Reeves as Ted and Alex Winter as Bill.

Guests of the show had been warned the show included adult humor. The show only runs on select nights. It was next scheduled to run Thursday.